ELAC softball sophomores will transfer

MONTEREY PARK, CA — Six of the seven 2015-16 East Los Angeles College softball team sophomores recently signed Letters of Intent to further their education at four-year universities. The seventh sophomore will sign soon.

“This is the most transfers we’ve had in the last 10 years of the softball program,” said Softball Head Coach Erika Blanco. “The goal of our program is to motivate, introduce and guide student-athletes on a path that leads them to earning a degree at a four-year university.”

Sophomore Sidney Alaniz (El Rancho High School), starting centerfielder for most of the season will be the seventh to sign.  “I’m waiting for the best scholarship offers in both academic and sports,” said Alaniz. “I am leaning toward Kansas Wesleyan University and should decide soon.”

“The ELAC softball program was a great experience for me. The coaches helped us build as players and individuals both on and off the field,” said Alaniz.

Three of the sophomores received South Coast Conference honors. Pitcher Byanka Diosdado (Schurr HS) is a recipient of the 2015-16 All-SCC First Team, first baseman Ashley Day (Alhambra HS) is All-SCC Second Team and catcher Joslyn Macias (California HS) is All-SCC Honorable Mention.

Diosdado will transfer to Sterling College in Kansas, which plays a near 50-game schedule. She is a dual player – a pitcher and she plays the corners, first base and third.

Diosdado threw 138 strikes this season, the most in the SCC and 12th-best in the state.  She finished with 14 wins this season, third best in the SCC. Last season Diosdado pitched the most innings in the state. She is two-time All-SCC. She is a 2014-15 Second Team recipient.

Diosdado, a criminal justice major, said her decision to continue her education so far away from her family was based on everything Sterling has to offer.

“My decision was difficult, but Sterling is environment friendly and the team and the coaches are the right (fit),” said Diosdado. “I hope to make an impact on the team while continuing to earn a degree.”

Day will transfer to Azusa Pacific University in the fall on a full academic scholarship. She says she might try to make the softball team as a walk-on.

“Ashley Day really came through this season as a cornerstone first baseman, in both skills and in a leadership role,” said Softball Assistant Coach John Zabala.

Day finished the season as the 17th best defensive player in the state. She had a .982 fielding percentage. She had 35 hits in 38 games, a .315 batting average, slugged in 28 RBIs and wowed the Huskies fans with two homeruns.

Macias will continue to catch when Diosdado pitches next year at Sterling College. She transfers on an athletic scholarship.

“The decision was difficult for me, but I am continuing my studies with someone I know, Byanka,” said Macias. “I am excited about the scholarship and that I will still play softball.”

Macias’ batting average was .378, the best batting average on the Huskies team, which was 16th best among the 134 SCC athletes that began the softball season.

She hit 35 singles and 7 doubles for 42 hits in 38 games.

Outfielder Sujey Zamudio (Bell HS), a criminal justice major, will continue her student-athlete career at College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey.

“I look forward to this new experience,” said Zamudio. “The ELAC softball program has prepared me for this. The program also helped me with transferring to earn my (degree). It stressed the importance in (academics) first. And when it came time, the program helped me succeed to transfer.”

“I played in a slump in my freshman year, but in my starting position this season, I learned to mature. Hard work pays off. Stussy Man!”

“Sujey grew into a consistent player and will do well at the next level,” said Blanco.

Zamudio hit .354 batting average with 28 hits, four of them doubles, in 37 games this year.

She says she moves to New Jersey knowing a familiar face, teammate Melanie Ruelas.

Ruelas (Franklin HS) was recruited by a school in New York. She said she looked into College of St. Elizabeth after learning that Zamudio was going to transfer.

Ruelas continues her studies at College of St. Elizabeth with an academic scholarship.

“I’m excited, so waved,” said Ruelas. “First, I enjoyed two years on the ELAC softball team. It was a great experience with both the players and coaches. Now, I will continue to earn a degree and play on another softball team at the next (level).”

Alizah Mayagoitia (Ramona Convent HS) attended California State University, Los Angeles after high school. Cal State LA does not sport a softball team, so Mayagoitia continued her studies as a member of the ELAC softball team.

In two years, Mayagoitia was a dual-enrollment student at Cal State LA and at ELAC, just to fulfill her goal of playing softball at the college level.

Mayagoitia ends her ELAC softball career with a 2016 .345 batting average in 37 games, which included 39 hits, five of them doubles and one triple. She scored 30 runs, the most on the team.

“I’m going to hang up my cleats and focus on my career,” said Mayagoitia. “Playing at ELAC was a successful experience. I have had great bonding with the girls. The program and the coaches were great.”

The sophomores will all transfer and experience new environments in continuing their education.  They can return to play on the softball field each year in the Softball Alumni game, which annually draws a packed house.

“Coach Blanco has provided a second home of sorts for her athletes – a home away from home,” said Director of Athletics, Al Cone.

story submitted by and Tadzio Garcia and Ryan Cardona